Common causes of foul-smelling gas can be a food intolerance, high-fiber foods, certain medications and antibiotics, and constipation. More serious causes are bacteria and infections in the digestive tract or, potentially, colon cancer.
Foul-smelling gas usually has a simple cause, like high fiber foods or certain medications. However, it could be an indicator of underlying digestive issues or even colon cancer, so be sure to contact a doctor if your symptoms are concerning you.
What Foods Cause Gas to Smell More? Since sulfur compounds produce the odor related to gas, eating foods high in sulfur compounds will increase the pungency of your flatulence. Foods high in sulfur include meat, poultry, eggs, onions, garlic, broccoli, cabbage, Brussel sprouts and cauliflower.
Irritable bowel syndrome, a condition in which dysfunction in the large intestine causes digestive issues like bloating and abdominal pain, and bouts of diarrhea and constipation, is yet another common culprit behind particularly smelly farts, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If the odor is strong, leave the premises immediately and tell others to leave. Then, call your local gas company from a neighbor's home. Outside gas odors should be reported right away - do not try to locate the source yourself.
Foul-smelling gas can occur for many reasons, but sometimes it can indicate serious issues. Talk to your doctor if you have consistently foul-smelling gas accompanied by the following symptoms: Bloody and inconsistent stool (poop) Change in frequency of bowel movements.
Prebiotics and probiotics
Probiotics help eliminate or decrease common gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, reflux and even nausea/vomiting. These foods help fill your gut with healthy bacteria that will assist in the healthy breakdown of the food you eat.
Foul-smelling farts usually come and go. If that stench keeps coming, though, it may be a sign that something isn't quite right inside. Conditions that could cause smelly farts include: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), including disorders such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
"When gas evaporates, it gives off compounds, including aldehydes, which are found naturally in peaches and cherries, and benzene, an aromatic hydrocarbon that boosts the octane rating." Your olfactory system may be sensitive to those sweet smells. As long as you don't huff the fumes, you're fine.
Rotten Egg Smell
Natural gas and propane have a distinctive smell for a reason. For safety purposes, utility companies use an additive called mercaptan that gives the colorless and odorless gases a smell that is hard to miss. Most people describe this smell like something like rotten eggs, sewage, or sulfur.
Natural gas is odorless, but a substance known as mercaptan is added to your natural gas so that it gives off a pungent rotten egg smell. If you notice this odor in your home, it's possible you have a natural gas leak.
The most likely reason we like the smell of our farts is simply because we habituate easily. That means that if we fart all the time—which we all do, around half a liter a day—we're very used to the smell already, says Loretta Breuning, Ph. D., who writes about brain chemistry and the social behavior of mammals.
Excessive or smelly farts can be caused when you swallow air or eat foods that are difficult to digest. It can also sometimes be a sign of a health condition. Do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you're worried about your farting.
Excessive flatulence can be caused by swallowing more air than usual or eating food that's difficult to digest. It can also be related to an underlying health problem affecting the digestive system, such as recurring indigestion or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).